Skyrim modlist

v0.52

Intro

This is a selection of good mods for Skyrim.
The mods are downloaded from Nexus Mods and installed with Mod Organizer. You have to launch the game through Mod Organizer to play with mods. Skyrim Legendary Edition is recommended.
Note: This is not for Skyrim Special Edition, the special edition has it's own section in Nexus Mods.

The images open the specific image they were ripped from on Nexus Mods.
Remember to endorse the mods you like on Nexus Mods. Also consider whitelisting Nexus Mods on your adblocker to support the site.


Tools:

Categories (amount of mods):

  • Audio ()
  • Combat ()
  • Environment ()
  • Locations NEW ()
  • Locations VANILLA ()
  • Misc Immersion Mods ()
  • NPC mods ()
  • Patches ()
  • Performance/Utility/UI ()
  • Quests ()
  • Sneak ()

Currently the list contains mods (and rejected mods).

Click the button to hide/show mod descriptions and images.


Mods by category

Green color refers to mod files on the mod's download page, orange color refers to a mod which is on the list.

Audio

Fantasy Soundtrack Project
by AceeQ
  • Adds new music, you can choose to replace original music or just add in the new tracks
Sounds of Skyrim - The Wilds
by Cliffworms
  • Adds new sound effects to the wilderness areas depending on the region and time of the day
Sounds of Skyrim - The Dungeons
by Cliffworms
  • Adds new sound effects to the dungeon areas
Sounds of Skyrim - Civilization
by Cliffworms
  • Adds new sound effects to cities, villages, farms and remote locations where civilization is present


Combat

Auto Unequip Ammo
by mitchalek
  • Unequips arrow ammo when switching to melee weapon
Enhanced Blood Textures
by dDefinder1
  • High quality blood textures
Immersive Weapons
by hothtrooper44
  • Adds many new weapons
No Spinning Death Animation
by dDefinder1
  • Removes the funny looking spinning death animation, NPCs will simply ragdoll when killed
Realistic Ragdolls and Force
by dDefinder1
  • Reduces the extra force applied on ragdolls to a more reasonable level and replaces ragdolls so that they bend and twist realistically and fall at a faster velocity
Duel - Combat Realism
by LogRaam
  • Makes combat more unforgiving
ABT - Arrows and Bolts Tweaks
by kevkas
  • Tweaks arrow and bolt behaviour; faster flying, more damage etc, fully customizable in the installer
Apocalypse - Magic of Skyrim
by EnaiSiaion
  • Adds 155 spells (31 per school) and corresponding scrolls and staves


Environment

Realistic Water Two
by isoku
  • High quality water textures
Enhanced Night Skyrim
by CptJoker71
  • Replaces the star and galaxy textures with high-resolution night sky alternatives
  • Download only Enhanced Night Skyrim v04 Blue Galaxy from the Optional Files section (or pick what you like)
Enhanced Lights and FX
by anamorfus
  • Better lighting, installer to customize all features
Wonders of Weather
by isoku
  • Adds rain splashes, shooting stars and rainbows


Locations NEW

The Seaside Library
by Jokerine
  • Adds a library near Solitude city, has books from earlier Elder Scrolls games
Falskaar
by AlexanderJVelicky
  • Adds an epic new island with new locations, dungeons, quests and fully voice acted NPCs
  • To start Falskaar, go to Riften, find Jalamar and speak with him
More Shipwrecks
by CynicalNsomniac
  • Adds 3 new shipwrecks to the coast regions
  • Note: one of the shipwrecks conflicts with a settlement mod named "Syerscote" (I'm not using that mod)


Locations VANILLA

Books of Skyrim
by mannygt
  • Adds a bookstore to Solitude city
  • Note: Uncompatible with the "Open Cities" mod
Dawn of Skyrim (Original Collection)
by BluePianoTwo
    • Overhauls the cities of Whiterun, Windhelm, Riften, Solitude and Markarth
    • Requires the Dragonborn DLC
    • Compatible with the following mods: click to show compatibilities
      • Wet & Cold
      • Holidays
      • Nernie's City Expansion
      • Open Cities (has patch for it)
      • JK's Cities (please use compatibility patch provided)
      • All city retextures, including the Sexy series
      • Interesting NPCs
      • Inconsequential NPCs
      • Cutting Room Floor
ImpeREAL Empire - Unique Cities - Falkreath
by SilentResident
  • Gives Falkreath city a more distinctive look, does not expand or decorate the city
Expanded Towns and Cities
by missjennabee
  • Alters and expands the following vanilla locations: click to show locations
    • Darkwater Crossing
    • Dawnstar
    • Dragonbridge
    • Dragonbridge south
    • Falkreath
    • Ivarstead
    • Karthwasten
    • Kynesgrove
    • Morthal
    • Orc Strongholds
    • Riverwood
    • Rorikstead
    • Shor's Stone
    • Solstheim
    • Stonehills
    • Whiterun Exterior Market
    • Winterhold

  • Smooth installer for both the main mod and for the compatibility patches
  • Installation: click to show instructions
    • Download ETaC - Complete from the Main Files section, then download ETaC - Complete - Patches from the Optional Files section and install compatibility patches for mods you're using, I install patches for the following mods:
      • Alternate Start - Live Another Life (Load order: place after ETaC, LOOT seems to do this)
      • Enhanced Lights and FX (Load order: place after ETaC, LOOT doesn't do this automatically)
      • ImpeREAL Empire - Unique Cities - Falkreath
      • Lanterns of Skyrim
    • The following mods don't need compatibility patches, but load order needs to be manually modified:
      • Immersive Patrols (Load order: place before ETaC, LOOT doesn't do this automatically)
      • Inconsequential NPCs (Load order: place before ETaC, LOOT doesn't do this automatically)
      • Interesting NPCs (Load order: place before ETaC, LOOT doesn't do this automatically)


Misc Immersion Mods

Immersive Armors
by hothtrooper44
  • Adds new armors into the game
Cloaks of Skyrim
by Nikinoodles
  • Adds different kinds of wearable cloaks, some NPCs wear cloaks
Face Masks of Skyrim
by volvaga0
  • Adds different kinds of craftable and wearable face masks
  • Download Face Masks for NPCs from the Optional Files section to have NPCs wear face masks
Common Clothes
by FranklinZunge
  • Adds different kinds of common clothes and armors, added to merchant/loot leveled lists
  • Download Common Clothes .98 data 1024 from the Main Files section and ESP- NPC Level List Distribution and Armor Craftable from the Optional Files section
Wet and Cold
by isoku
  • Adds many visual effects when wet or cold, for both player character and NPCs
Alternate Start - Live Another Life
by Arthmoor
  • Provides alternative means to start the game instead of the Helgen intro sequence, many options
  • You will need to turn on subtitles to see the text for the startup quest
  • Requires all DLC, Unofficial Skyrim Legendary Edition Patch is recommended
Hold Border Banners
by Thicketford
  • Adds hold banners on borders in the wilderness
Lanterns of Skyrim - All In One
by mannygt
  • Adds lanterns to main roads, villages, towns and settlements
Morrowind Imports
by Nazgar
  • Some of the Dark Elves in Windhelm city will sell wares imported from Morrowind
Run For Your Lives
by Arthmoor
  • Townsfolk will run in fear and hide indoors when dragons attack
Player Headtracking
by Maegfaer
  • Player character will look at nearby NPCs
  • Requires Brawl Bugs Patch - Plugins - Modder Resource mod
TTYM - Think To Yourself Messages
by VorpalBlades
  • Changes the in-game messages (on top left) to 1st person
Immersive Animations
by Bergzore
  • Many new animations
  • Download Immersive Animations NMM Installer Complete from the Main Files section only
  • Run the Fores New Idles in Skyrim - FNIS tool after installing, tick "SKELETON Arm Fix" before clicking Generate
Pets of Skyrim
by qasiermo
  • Adds cats and dogs to roam the cities and towns
Birds of Skyrim
by qasiermo
  • Adds different kinds of birds to cities, towns and wilderness


NPC mods

Monster Mod
by Dogtown1, maintained by Ironman5000
  • Adds hundreds of new enemy creatures
  • Download Monster Mod V4_Lore Version from the Main Files section (excludes stupid creatures, like dinosaurs)
The Eyes Of Beauty
by LogRaam
  • Replaces eye textures with new high quality ones
  • Download Eye of Beauty NPC eyes texture replacer from the Optional Files section only (this replaces NPC eyes only, I don't need player character textures)
Interesting NPCs
by kristakahashi
  • Adds many new fully voice acted lore-friendly characters into the world, characters have their own quests
  • Only manual download available; add the archive to Mod Organizer and install as usual (large file size, 2 GB)
  • Download 3DNPC - Alternative Locations from the Miscellaneous section if you are using Alternate Start - Live Another Life mod
    • Don't install midgame if you've already played with 3DNPC installed (without this patch) for a while
  • Download 3DNPC Don't Call Me Dragonborn from the Miscellaneous section if you don't want the characters calling you Dragonborn
    • Don't install midgame if you've already played with 3DNPC installed (without this patch) for a while
Imperial Legion Armor Variety
by Person numbered 275
  • Adds more variety to Imperial Legionnaires' armor
  • Download Legion Armor Variety Option 3 from the Main Files section only (choose only one option, I choose this one)
Stormcloak Armor Variety
by Person numbered 275
  • Adds more variety to Stormcloak warriors' armor
  • Download Stormcloak Armor Variety Option 2 from the Main Files section only (choose only one option, I choose this)
Immersive Patrols
by Scrabbulor
  • Adds fully functional, scheduled patrols of almost every major faction across all DLCs
  • Download DLC Main Unaggressive IP 2.0.3 from the Main Files section only (choose only one option, I choose this)
Guard Dialogue Overhaul
by Eckss
  • Alters the guard dialogue to be more immersive, all done with original voices
  • Has to be below Immersive Armors mod in load order (Load Order Optimisation tool should take care of this)
My Home Is Your Home - a mod for followers
by Volek
  • You can assign a home for followers, followers will go there when dismissed
  • Supports custom followers and custom player homes
Female Facial Animation
by nao4288
  • Improved facial animations for female NPCs (except khajiit, argonian and orc races)
Holidays
by isoku
  • NPCs will celebrate different holidays on certain days of the year
People are Strangers
by sagittarius22
  • NPCs will be nameless until you talk to them
  • Download No names in subtitles from the Main Files section to remove NPC names from subtitles
  • Download Races from the Optional Files section to use show race names instead of "stranger" (eg. "Nord", "Dunmer")
Inconsequential NPCs
by ripple
  • Adds many lore-friendly random NPCs to towns and cities


Patches

Unofficial Skyrim Legendary Edition Patch
by Unofficial Patch Project Team, uploaded by Arthmoor
  • Unofficial patch for the vanilla game and all the DLC (download individual patches if you don't have all the DLC)
Weapons and Armor Fixes Remade
by kryptopyr
  • Lots of bugfixes, installer to customize all features
  • Needs to be loaded after the Unofficial Patch in load order (Load Order Optimisation tool should take care of this)
  • Don't select "Faster Arrows and Bolts" in the installer to use other mods to modify arrow behaviour


Performance/Utility/UI

SkyUI
by schalngster
  • PC-friendly interface mod with many advanced features, required by many mods
Safety Load
by kapaer
  • Blocks "Infinite Loading Screen" bug and game freezing during play
OneTweak
by virusek
  • A few helpful tweaks; borderless windows mode, Alt+Tab double cursor fix, dynamic process priority, RaceMenu Precache killer
Skyrim Performance PLUS
by Vergis
  • A few performance tweaks
  • Download all Main Files: Pine Needles FX, Rainfall FX, Snowfall FX, The Rift - Aspen Leaves FX - Super Performance
Better Dialogue Controls
by ecirbaf
  • Fixes bug in dialogue where the game selects different dialogue option than what you wanted
Lore-Based Loading Screens
by Chesko
  • Adds in more lore-friendly loading screen objects and texts, doesn't replace original loading screens
No Menu and Loading Smoke
by IceKK
  • Removes the smoke effects from the main menu and loading screens
Paper World Map
by Warburg
  • Replaces the 3D map with a 2D paper map texture
  • Download Texture 2 from the Main Files section (two textures to choose from, I choose this one)
SKSE ini pre-download for lazy users
by sagittarius22
  • Includes some ini tweaks for Skyrim Script Extender, some mods may need these
Fores New Idles in Skyrim - FNIS
by fore
  • A tool required by many animation mods
  • Note: Tool has to be ran after you install the tool and when you install or uninstall FNIS based mods (mods that require the tool)
  • This is how you use the FNIS tool: click to show instructions
    • Download and install the tool with Mod Organizer
    • Navigate to Mod Organizer's mods folder, find FNIS folder, open tools folder, open GenerateFNIS_for_Users
    • Run GenerateFNISforUsers.exe, tick some options if required by a mod, otherwise leave as it is
    • Click the Generate button and let the tool work for a moment
    • Done, you can close the tool
Face to face conversation
by towawot
  • Camera zooms in on the face of the NPC when in conversation
Brawl Bugs Patch - Plugins - Modder Resource
by jonwd7
  • A resource required by many mods
XP32 Maximum Skeleton - XPMS
by xp32
  • A widely supported skeleton, required by many mods
Skyrim -Community- Uncapper
by Elys
  • Allows to level skills beyond level 100


Quests

The Choice is Yours - Fewer Forced Quests - Improved Dialogue Options
by kryptopyr
  • Stops greetings, comments and rumors from triggering quests, quests will activate only if you decide to pursue them


Sneak

Realistic Crime Radius
by BeyondTom
  • Changes crime detection radius from 4000 units (feet?) to 1000, no more people will yell crime from across the lands
Sneak Tools
by Borgut1337
  • Adds many thievery and assassination related features click to show features
    • Throat slitting
      • Sneak, have a dagger/sword in hand and activate the NPC you are standing behind
    • Knocking unconscious
      • Sneak, have fists or mace in hand and activate the NPC from behind (or sleeping NPC)
    • Killing sleeping targets
      • Have any weapon in hand, activate the sleeping NPC to kill
    • Identity-concealing masks
      • You won't get bounty with a mask on, beware that nobody sees you take off or put on a mask
    • Extinguishable and (re)lightable fires
      • Almost all fire-based light sources will be extinguishable and re-lightable
      • Use frost and fire spells, or the newly introduced fire and water arrows
    • Fire arrows
      • Set enemies on fire or light extinguished lights, all arrows are craftable
    • Water arrows
      • Extinguish light fire-based light sources
    • Noisemaker arrows
      • Makes small and loud explosion, attracts NPCs
    • Oil arrows
      • Will produce a pool of oil upon impact, covers enemies with oil making them suspectible to fire
    • Rope arrows
      • Drops a rope upon impact, you can climb the rope to reach rooftops
    • New shop
      • You learn a lesser power Shadow's Refuge on install, use it to teleport to hidden shop, use again to exit
Thieves Guild Requirements
by kryptopyr
  • Brynjolf in Riften city will no longer approach you to join Thieves Guild, joining requirements are much higher now
Stealth Skills Rebalanced - Sneak - Lockpicking - Pickpocket
by kryptopyr
  • Balances many aspects of stealth gameplay, inlcuding sneak and lockpicking skills, perks, NPC detection etc.
  • Download Stealth Skills Rebalanced - Basic Version from the Main Files section only (this version has game breaking perks disabled)


Rejected mods


These are mods that I've tested and didn't like. Some of the mods cause issues, some simply weren't to my tastes.



OBIS - Organized Bandits In Skyrim (from category "NPC mods")
by Indigoblade
  • Adds lots of marauding bandit gangs
  • Reason for rejection:
    • There's too many bandits!
Skyrim Flora Overhaul (from category "Environment")
by vurt
  • Overhauls the landscape with more varied and better looking flora
  • Add iMaxGrassTypesPerTexure=7 in your skyrim.ini (put it below [grass] section, and yes, it's supposed to be "texure")
  • See the mod description for troubleshooting
  • Download if you have a powerful system, can affect performance
  • Reason for rejection:
    • Too heavy performance hit for my system
Hammerfell Bandits (from category "NPC mods")
by samv96UK
  • Adds Hammerfell bandits to roam the wilderness, bandits have camps
  • Reason for rejection:
    • The bandit encounters are too frequent
Destructible bottles Extended (from category "Misc Immersion Mods")
by lamer1000
  • Makes empty bottles destructable
  • Reason for rejection:
    • Script heavy, buggy, can cause game-breaking bugs by messing with quest scripts
    • The sound effect for glass breaking is VERY low quality




Changelog:




v0.52 (2017-02-12)
-added gradient effect for list items, used online tool for gradients
-added background images
-added buttons for a few mods to toggle parts of description visibility and reduce page length (used online tool for button creation);
    -buttons for Expanded Towns and Cities to show locations and install instructions
    -button for Dawn of Skyrim (Original Collection) to show compatibilities
    -button for Fores New Idles in Skyrim - FNIS to show instructions
    -button for Sneak Tools to show mod features

v0.51 (2016-12-02)
-moved mod Destructible bottles Extended to Rejected Mods section

v0.50 (2016-12-01)
-created the list from old html mod list with 69 mods;
-added mod Fantasy Soundtrack Project to Audio
-added mod Sounds of Skyrim - The Wilds to Audio
-added mod Sounds of Skyrim - The Dungeons to Audio
-added mod Sounds of Skyrim - Civilization to Audio

-added mod Auto Unequip Ammo to Combat
-added mod Enhanced Blood Textures to Combat
-added mod Immersive Weapons to Combat
-added mod No Spinning Death Animation to Combat
-added mod Realistic Ragdolls and Force to Combat
-added mod Duel - Combat Realism to Combat
-added mod ABT - Arrows and Bolts Tweaks to Combat
-added mod Apocalypse - Magic of Skyrim to Combat

-added mod Realistic Water Two to Environment
-added mod Enhanced Night Skyrim to Environment
-added mod Enhanced Lights and FX to Environment
-added mod Wonders of Weather to Environment

-added mod The Seaside Library to Locations NEW
-added mod Falskaar to Locations NEW
-added mod More Shipwrecks to Locations NEW

-added mod Books of Skyrim to Locations VANILLA
-added mod Dawn of Skyrim (Original Collection) to Locations VANILLA
-added mod ImpeREAL Empire - Unique Cities - Falkreath to Locations VANILLA
-added mod Expanded Towns and Cities to Locations VANILLA

-added mod Immersive Armors to Misc Immersion Mods
-added mod Cloaks of Skyrim to Misc Immersion Mods
-added mod Face Masks of Skyrim to Misc Immersion Mods
-added mod Common Clothes to Misc Immersion Mods
-added mod Wet and Cold to Misc Immersion Mods
-added mod Alternate Start - Live Another Life to Misc Immersion Mods
-added mod Hold Border Banners to Misc Immersion Mods
-added mod Lanterns of Skyrim - All In One to Misc Immersion Mods
-added mod Morrowind Imports to Misc Immersion Mods
-added mod Run For Your Lives to Misc Immersion Mods
-added mod Player Headtracking to Misc Immersion Mods
-added mod TTYM - Think To Yourself Messages to Misc Immersion Mods
-added mod Destructible bottles Extended to Misc Immersion Mods
-added mod Immersive Animations to Misc Immersion Mods
-added mod Pets of Skyrim to Misc Immersion Mods
-added mod Birds of Skyrim to Misc Immersion Mods

-added mod Monster Mod to NPC mods
-added mod The Eyes Of Beauty to NPC mods
-added mod Interesting NPCs to NPC mods
-added mod Imperial Legion Armor Variety to NPC mods
-added mod Stormcloak Armor Variety to NPC mods
-added mod Immersive Patrols to NPC mods
-added mod Guard Dialogue Overhaul to NPC mods
-added mod My Home Is Your Home - a mod for followers to NPC mods
-added mod Female Facial Animation to NPC mods
-added mod Holidays to NPC mods
-added mod People are Strangers to NPC mods
-added mod Inconsequential NPCs to NPC mods

-added mod Unofficial Skyrim Legendary Edition Patch to Patches
-added mod Weapons and Armor Fixes Remade to Patches

-added mod SkyUI to Performance/Utility/UI
-added mod Safety Load to Performance/Utility/UI
-added mod OneTweak to Performance/Utility/UI
-added mod Skyrim Performance PLUS to Performance/Utility/UI
-added mod Better Dialogue Controls to Performance/Utility/UI
-added mod Lore-Based Loading Screens to Performance/Utility/UI
-added mod No Menu and Loading Smoke to Performance/Utility/UI
-added mod Paper World Map to Performance/Utility/UI
-added mod SKSE ini pre-download for lazy users to Performance/Utility/UI
-added mod Fores New Idles in Skyrim - FNIS to Performance/Utility/UI
-added mod Face to face conversation to Performance/Utility/UI
-added mod Brawl Bugs Patch - Plugins - Modder Resource to Performance/Utility/UI
-added mod XP32 Maximum Skeleton - XPMS to Performance/Utility/UI
-added mod Skyrim -Community- Uncapper to Performance/Utility/UI

-added mod The Choice is Yours - Fewer Forced Quests - Improved Dialogue Options to Quests

-added mod Realistic Crime Radius to Sneak
-added mod Sneak Tools to Sneak
-added mod Thieves Guild Requirements to Sneak
-added mod Stealth Skills Rebalanced - Sneak - Lockpicking - Pickpocket to Sneak

-added mod OBIS - Organized Bandits In Skyrim to Rejected Mods section
-added mod Skyrim Flora Overhaul to Rejected Mods section
-added mod Hammerfell Bandits to Rejected Mods section


contact: markus.vaananen+skyrimmodlist (at) gmail.com


2017